Baudet backing new signing Zola

Calvin Zola scored 16 goals in 55 league starts for Tranmere (Getty).

Crewe captain Julian Baudet is backing new striker Calvin Zola to be a success at the Alexandra Stadium.

Frenchman Baudet told BBC Radio Stoke: "I think he could be what we've been missing for the last year.

"We will be able to rely on him as a target man, to score goals, win headers and play other players in. It will be up to us to make chances for him."

The Congolese striker joined the South Cheshire club from Tranmere Rovers for £200,000 in June.

The Alex struggled in League One last term, only avoiding relegation after results went their way on the final day and Baudet is predicting another tough season.

"It should be easier because we stayed up," said Baudet. "But we know it will be very hard again this season. I think it will be a real graft.

"The guys who played last year should use it as platform to build on because we can't be happy with what happened last season.

"It's up to us now. We can't talk about relegation, the play-offs or promotion. It's down to everyone in the team to put right what went wrong last year."